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You care about your home. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® cares about homeownership. To help you become the best, most responsible homeowner you aspire to be, we want to provide you with free information and tools you can use to make smart and timely decisions about your home.

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Author Profiles

Oliver Marks

A former carpenter and newspaper reporter, Oliver Marks has been writing about home improvements for 16 years. He's currently restoring his second fixer-upper with a mix of big hired projects and small do-it-himself jobs.

Articles by this author

Family room with fireplace and vaulted ceiling

Top Features of a Family Room Addition

Open space is the goal, so don’t overload your family room with too many features. Choose only the most essential options. Read More

Progress H K
Value Added High $54,000
Effort High 6-12 mos (including planning)
Investment High $83,000
Added to Binder
Basement family room

Evaluate Your House for a Family Room Addition

A family room is one of the most straightforward additions you can build with a relatively large payback—and it’ll completely transform your home. Read More

Progress H K
Value Added High $54,000
Effort High 6-12 mos (including planning)
Investment High $83,000
Added to Binder
Lawn irrigation system at a home

7 Gardening Mistakes to Avoid

Novice gardeners can get their landscapes off to a healthy start by heeding some tried-and-true tips from the pros. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 2-4 hrs/wk (growing season)
Investment Low $250 to $500 (pro design help)
Added to Binder
Wooden fence in yard of residence

Fencing: A Guide to the Options

When shopping for a fence, you need to consider everything from style to function to how much maintenance it’ll require. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-2 days
Investment High $350-$3,000 (for 50 feet of fence)
Added to Binder
Man sealing an asphalt driveway

Your Guide to Outdoor Maintenance — Northeast

If you live in the Northeast, prevent problems and preserve the value of your property with proactive outdoor maintenance. Read More

Progress K
Effort Med 3–5 days (inspect & repair)
Investment Low $15-$300 (tools, materials)
Added to Binder
Routinely test and adjusting the chemistry of the water

Your Guide to Outdoor Maintenance — Southwest

If you live in the Southwest, prevent problems and preserve the value of your property with proactive outdoor maintenance. Read More

Progress K
Effort Med 3–5 days (inspect & repair)
Investment Low $15-$300 (tools, materials)
Added to Binder
Couple upset at work done by a bad contractor

How To Fight Back Against a Bad Contractor

You have options for recourse if a contractor disappears or does shoddy work, but which action to take depends on the particulars of your situation. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1 hr-1 day (legal consult)
Investment Low $500-$1,000 (legal consult)
Added to Binder
Building official visiting house construction area

The Top 5 Contractor Scams and How to Avoid Them

Protect yourself against unscrupulous contractors by learning about the warning signs of these common home-improvement scams. Read More

Progress K
Effort Med 3 wknds (interview contractors)
Investment Low $0
Added to Binder
Master bedroom addition

Evaluate Your House for a Master Suite Addition

A master suite addition can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, but with smart planning you can cut costs without compromising on amenities. Read More

Progress H K
Value Added High $62,800-$136,700
Effort High 6-12 mos, including planning
Investment High $103,700-$226,000
Added to Binder
Walk-in master closet in house

Smart Strategies for Building a Master Closet

Done right, a walk-in closet will add convenience and value to your master suite addition, and extend the life of your wardrobe, too. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 2-4 wks (plan, install)
Investment Med $3,000-$10,000 (hire a pro)
Added to Binder
Soaking tub in master bathroom

Master Suite Addition: Top Features

Some amenities are must-haves in a master suite addition; others depend on your taste, your lifestyle, and your budget. Read More

Progress H K
Value Added High $62,800-$136,700
Effort High 6-12 mos, including planning
Investment High $103,700-$226,000
Added to Binder
Architect and client discussing architectural model

Do You Need an Architect for Your Remodeling Project?

An architect can add to the cost of your remodeling project, but there are times when it pays to hire a design professional. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 3-6 mos added to job
Investment High $5,000-$20,000 (on $100,000 job)
Added to Binder
Architect studying home remodeling plans

7 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Architect

The answers to these questions will help you zero in on the architect who’s right for your project, your budget, and your personality. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 3-6 mos added to job
Investment High $5,000-$20,000 (on $100,000 job)
Added to Binder
Lennox air conditioners outside house

Air Conditioning Equipment: Repair or Replace?

If you’re deciding whether to repair or replace central air conditioning equipment, assess the quality of your house’s ductwork and insulation first. Read More

Progress $ E K
Save Money Med $112/yr (30% of avg cooling costs)
Effort Med 1 day-1 wk
Investment Med $3,000-$4,000 (SEER 13)
Added to Binder
Man's hand signing construction contract

What Your Remodeling Contract Should Say

Review your remodeling contract carefully and adjust it to make sure it protects you in terms of payments, work schedules, and project specifications. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 3 hrs (review contract)
Investment Low $0
Added to Binder
Client discussing home renovation with contractor

Getting the Best Work from Your Contractor

Working with a contractor takes effort and know-how in order to keep your project on time and on budget. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 1 hr/day (checking job site)
Investment Low $0
Added to Binder
Ladder leaning against wall in otherwise empty room

What to Do If a Contractor Puts a Lien on Your House

If a contractor puts a lien on your house, you’ll have to fight to keep your house out of foreclosure. Here’s how to defend yourself. Read More

Progress K
Investment Low $1,000 (attorney reviews lien)
Added to Binder
Contractor talking on telephone with client

5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor

You’re ready to remodel but you want to make sure you get the best contractor for the job. Here’s what to ask the candidates before you decide. Read More

Progress K
Effort Med 3 wknds (interview contractors)
Investment Low $0
Added to Binder
Gas furnace installed in basement

Should You Convert from Oil to Gas Heating?

If you’re replacing your old oil heating equipment, you may want to crunch the numbers on switching to cheaper, cleaner gas heating. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High $625/yr (off heating oil cost)
Effort Med 1 - 2 wks to convert
Investment Med $3,500-$5,500 for gas unit
Added to Binder
Serviceman tuning up furnace in home

Essential Heating System Maintenance

Getting your home’s heating system professionally serviced every year will keep it running smoothly and help keep heating costs under control. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-3 hours for servicing
Investment Low $100 - $180 for servicing
Added to Binder
Cast iron radiator next to window

Heating Equipment: Repair or Replace?

The decision to repair or replace heating equipment depends on its age, the cost of repair, and how much money a more efficient system will save you. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Med $200/yr off avg utility bill
Effort Low 1 day to install
Investment Med $1,500 - $10,000
Added to Binder
Man painting his home's fence

When It Pays to Do It Yourself

Doing home-improvement jobs yourself can be a smart way to save money, but choose the right DIY projects or you’ll end up paying dearly. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Med $120/mo (2 mows, .5-acre lawn)
Effort Low 1-2 hrs to mow
Investment Low $200-$400 (walk-behind mower)
Added to Binder
Sawhorse in empty room of house

Budget for a Remodel

To calculate how much remodel you can afford, follow these four steps: Ballpark the cost, establish a spending limit, make a wish list, and set your priorities. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 1-3 months to plan
Investment Low $0 to plan
Added to Binder
Move from or improve your home

Should You Move or Improve?

Whether to move or improve is a harder question to answer than it was a few years ago, but a few cost-benefit calculations can help you make the right decision. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 3-6 mos (to build addition)
Investment High $156,309 (two-story addition)
Added to Binder